Hodakapottery

I was born and grew up in Tokyo, and have lived in Rochester, N.Y. since 1989 when I started potting. I worked as a market researcher and was involved with many products; foods, soft drinks, magazine, camera and so on. I learned the importance of making good products.

Why pottery? A potter, it sounds good, doesn’t it?

I dreamed of being one for a long time. I was once told not touch clay because it attracts people mysteriously, later days of Picasso, for instance. When I married and moved here, my dream was realized with my wife’s warmest support. I have had no formal pottery training except a pottery club during my university days, when I became possessed by the clay.

I love making pottery, especially functional; I call it “Zakki (a bunch of pots)”. My pots are designed to be simple, easy to handle, and go with any kind of foods at a reasonable price for you to use everyday. Japanese use many different kinds of dishes, colors and shapes, to decorate a meal and a table. Next time you cook or serve a meal, please imagine which dish sets off (cheers up) your meal.

My pottery is stoneware, which is wheel-thrown or slab-built, and fired to cone 10 (approximately 2350 degrees) in reduction atmosphere. Glazed with blue, or turquoise, inspired by mountains and a sky with a hint of Japanese flavor. Indeed, I am named Hodaka after the third highest mountain in Japan where I enjoyed camping, climbing and hot springs many times. Vast clouds and sky in the US are incredible.

I hope you enjoy my pottery for many years to come.

Hodaka Hasebe